The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2001) on the English Channel coast of southern England. The site stretches from Orcombe Point near Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset, a distance of 153 kilometres. The area has been studied for more than 300 years and has contributed to the development of earth sciences in the UK.
The site includes a near-continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock exposures, representing much of the Mesozoic era (251-66 million years ago) or approximately 185 million years of the Earth’s history.The site shows excellent examples of landforms, including the natural arch at Durdle Door, the cove and limestone folding at Lulworth Cove and an island, the Isle of Portland. Migratory wildfowl habitat occurs in the area, with a relatively diverse invertebrate fauna.